Object Relations Psychotherapy

Cheryl Glickauf-Hughes and Marolyn Wells are associate professors in the department of psychology at Georgia State University, Atlanta, where each also maintains a private practice. In addition, Glickauf-Hughes is adjunct professor in the department of psychiatry at Emory University School of Medicine, and Wells is director of internship training and staff psychologist at the Counceling Center at Georgia State University.

Glickauf-Hughes and Wells present a clear and well-organized review of personality development according to object relations theorists. They offer an explanation and critique of each major theorist, note issues on which there is disagreement (along with areas of investigation not fully explored), and present implications for treatment. Concepts are well defined, and one gets the sense of a cohesive body of knowledge (possibly more cohesive than it actually is). Those unfamiliar with object-relations theory will have a good outline; those who know enough to be confused will find some clarification.